Machine for dampening and stretching paper



(No Model.) 2' Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. NAGKEN. MACHINE FOR DAMPENING AND STRETGHING PAPER- No. 444,222. Patented Jan. 6, 1891.

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Witnesses: Inventor (No MpdeL) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. NACKEN.- MAGHINE FOR DAMPENING AND STRETGHING PAPER. No. 444,222. Patented Jan. 6, 1891 FIG. 2

witnessesg i 7' if z Inventor:

UNITED STATES PATENT Un tes;

WERNER NACKEN, OF BUFFALO, NEI V YORK.

MACHINE FOR DAMPENING AND STRETCHING PAPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 444,222, dated January 6, 1891.

Application filed September 24, 1890- Serial No. 365.955. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern..-

Be it known that I WERNER NAOKEN, of Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements on a Machine for Dampening and Stretching Paper for Lithographic Color and Similar Work; and I do hereby declare that the following description of my said invention, taken in connection with the accompanying sheets of drawings, forms a full, clear, and exact specification, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has general reference to an improved machine for dampening and stretching paper for lithographic color-work, chromo, or imitation water-color printing before roughening, and for stretching large sheets; and it consists, essentially, in the novel and peculiar combination of parts and details of construction, as hereinafter first fully set forth and described, and then pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings already mentioned, which serve to illustrate my said invention more fully, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my im proved paper dampener and stretcher. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is aplan of the wringing mechanism detached in line a; 00 of Fig. 2.

Like parts are designated by correspondin g letters and numerals of reference in all the figures.

The object of this invention is the production of an efficient machine for dampening and stretching paper for color-printing and similar work. It is a well-known fact that printing-paper is more or less hygroscopic and continually changing in length with the various changes of the atmosphere. hen dampened in-moist chambers to temper the paper, its edges only will be aifected, or mostly so, thus leavingthe sheets in a wavy condition, which, as soon as they come upon the damp lithographic stone, will wrinkle and often fold in the wrinkles, thus causing delay in the work and loss of time and paper, and resulting in badly fitting and registering i work. So will so-called green paper-i. e.,

that coming directly from the millrequire tempering to render it fit for color-work. To avoid these objections and drawbacks and to enable lithographers to use properly tempered paper fit to do perfect printing and to always have paper of the same degree of dampness or humidity, I construct this machine, essentially, of a main frame composed of two preferably metallic sides, and place between these sides a water-reservoir B, and lead through this reservoir an endless apron O, which apron passes over various rollers and through a wringing device, all as hereinafter to be more fully described, so that sheets of taper placed upon the uppermost course of the said endless apron will pass through between a set of rollers and there be properly moistened (and thereby stretched) by absorbing moisture from the endless apron.-

Each of the frames consists of two standards 1 2, connected together by a horizontal web A A, the standards 1 spreading on their lower end at 3 to afford a substantial and firm base for the machine. and a suitable distance above the arched legs 3, are located bearings 45, carrying a shaft 5, upon which is mounted a roller D, which is located within the water-reservoir B near the bottom thereof. A suitable distance above the bearings 4i there are obliquely-arranged slots 6, forming bearings for a shaft 7, carrying a roller E, while at the upper end of said standards there are further bearings 8 to receive a shaft 9, upon which is affixed a roller G, this roller having guide-flanges g, as shown in Fig. 2. Opposite the webs AA the standards 1 have laterally-projecting arms 10, to which is affixed a cross-bar 11, (or said-arms and cross-bar may be formed in one piece and attached to the standard 1,) said cross-bar having centrally a set-screw 12, while a suitable distance above these arms are located brackets 13, to which is pivoted a U-shaped carrier H, having slotted apertures 72. to receive the shafts 14 of a roller F, the axis of which coincides 'with that of the roller E, and in conjunction In thesestandards 1, r

through the apron 0, while motion is imparted to the driven pulley L by a belt P from any suitable source of power.

The intermediate roller J is a metallic cylinder of proper diameter, so that its weight will be sufficient to cause a certain pressure being exerted upon the endless apron C, while the upper roller K is covered with a suitable material having a nap, such as canton-flannel 18, to act as a wiper for the roller J in case this roller should become moist by contact with the endless apron C.

In the webs A A of the frames there. are a series of notches to receive the shafts of atightening-roller Ravhich roller has guide flanges rto keep the endless apron (J in proper position. 13y moving this roller from one to the other set of notches the endless apron C may be tensioned in a manner readily com prehended. These notches may be consecutively numbered to facilitate the locating of the tighteningroller into its proper notches.

The endless apron (J consists of one layer of four or more ply rubber cloth properly jointed by a searfed lap and cemented, and asurface layer of a fabric having a nap, such as canton flannel, plush, and the like, this layer being cemented to the rubber apron, and so placed that the uppermost course C, extending from the roller G to the roller 1', will have the napped side uppermost.

From the water-reservoir l3 leads.a gutter upwardly and rearwardly to and below the roller I, so as to catch any water that may be dripping from this roller and to convey it back into the reservoir.

From the roller I leads rearwardl y and downwardly a table T, over which the paper, after passing through and between the roller I and the endless apron upon the roller J, is led to be thence removed to the store-room or to the presses for immediate use.

AbovetheuppercourseGofthe endlessapron there is located a feed-table U, supported by rods 21 or otherwise attached tothe machine,

a this table being suitably inclined and terminating in about the middle between the rollers Gand J and in close proximityto the endless belt C. The upper edges of the water'rcservoir reach to within a short distance of the webs A A, so that the water carried with the apron C, which when revolving at its proper velocity will be carried upwardly by inertia and centrifugal force of the moving parts, will be returned to the reservoir without wetting the surroundingparts. In the lower portion of this reservoir there is a faucet ill, by which the waterin the reservoiris discharged as soon as the machine is stopped for any length of time, to prevent a portion of the endless apron from remaining in the water and thereby become uneven in texture and to preserve the same in perfect condition.

The U-shaped carrierll swingsfreely upon its pivots 23 on the brackets 15, so that the setscrew 12, acting centrally upon the crossbar 72 of this carrier, exerts an even pressure upon the endless apron U. lly tightening or loosening this set-screw 12 the operator is enabled to so adjust the pressure upon the apron C that any degree of moisture or dampness may be secured, a different degree of humidity being required for thin paper than what would be proper for thicker paper, while green paper will require more moisture than paper which has been stored for some time and which mayhave absorbed some moisture from the atmosphere. .liy changing the metallic roller J fora heavier orlightcr one variations in the degree of humidity of the paper may be produced in an effective manner.

The operation of this machine is substantially as follows: ater is put into the reservoir ii to a suitable height and the machine started. Now the set-screw il 2 is manipulated to force the roller F toward the roller E, and thereby to press upon the endless apron (I, passing between these rollers, and to remove therefrom all surplus water, so that it carries only enough moisture to properly temper the paper placed upon the course 0', which paper will travel with the apron through between the roller J and the apron. This roller presses the paper upon the apron, from which it absorbs the necessary degree of humidity, which causes it to expand and stretch, and thereby to render it fit for color-printing upon a damp lithographic stone.

It will now be readily observed that the paper coming from this machine is properly tempered and stretched and perfectly flat, so that in subsequent printing no or at most but a trifling variation in its length can take place, thereby assuring proper receiving of colors and the exact register of the designs.

In practice the machine is to be surrounded by a casing V, as indicated in Fig. 2, in which casing there are to be openings, through which access may be had to those parts of the machine requiring manipulations. \Yhcn not in use, the casing is to be entirely closed to exclude dust and dirt, which might affect the proper operation of the machine.

In the machine hereinbefore described the apron C is, as a matter of fact, driven by the wringer-rol1s it and F as soon as the latter roller is caused to impinge upon the apron C with sufficient force to free it from its surplus water, while as long as the apron passes freely between. said rollers it is moved by the roller or cylinder I. The proportions of this cylinder I and the roller E are about like two to one. This requires that the proportions of the driving-pulley M and the driven pulley N should be the same; but, since the drivingbelt 0 is liable to slip somewhat upon the smaller driven pulley N, it is advisable to make the former somewhat larger, and while in Fig. 1 I have shown this proportion substantially correct I have exaggerated the same in Fig. 2, so as to make the difference the more apparent.

To the practical printer the degree of hnmidity of the paper when in condition for IIO color-printing is well known. It is one of experience only and cannot be described. The paper is neither saturated with water nor even moderately wet. To be in proper condition it should .have absorbed just enough moisture to feel slightly damp and be limp. This condition the paper receives by being in contact with the napped side of the endless apron for but a short space of time, and to bring the paper into just sufficient contact it passes with the apron below the roller J, which is just heavy enough to accomplish the purpose without exerting any undue pressure upon the same. The dampening of the paper causes it to expand in accordance with the well known phenomenon that porous substances-such as paper, textile fabrics, &c. will expand when moist and contract when drying. Therefore the expansion and stretching of the paper is not directly caused by the pressureroller acting upon the same, but by the physical action of moisture upon the same.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure to me by Letters Patent of the United States- 1. In a machine for dampening and stretching paper for lithographic color-work prior to printing, the combination, with an endless apron consisting of a rubber-cloth belt having on its outer surface a napped fabric cemented thereto, of a wringing device consistin g of the roller F, pivoted Withina U-shaped frame H, hinged to the standards 1, as described, and provided with slotted apertures for the shaft 14, the roller F thereon, the roller E, journaled within the inclined slots 6 in the said standards, the cross-bar 1], connecting the arms 10 on said standards, and the setscrew 12 in said cross-bar bearing upon the center of the cross-bar h of the U-shaped frame H, as and for the object stated.

2. In a machine for dampening paper for lithographic color work prior to printing thereon, the combination, with the frame having the standards 1, provided with inclined notches 6,0f the shaft 7, the roller E thereon, the U-shaped frame H, pivoted to the brack ets 13 and having the crossbar h and notches h in its lower end, the roller F, journaled in said notches h, and an endless apron consisting of a rubber-cloth belt and a-napped fabric cementedthereto, as and for the objectset forth.

3. In a machine for dampening paper for lithographic color work prior to printing thereon, the combination, with the frame having the horizontal webs A A, of the roller D, the wringer-rollers E F, the guide-roller G, the roller I, the tension-roller R, adjustably arranged in notches in the horizontal wehsA A, and the endless apron consisting of a rubber-cloth belt and a napped fabric cemented thereto, as and for the objectset forth.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with the frames, of an endless apron revolving through a water-reservoir over suitable rollers, said apron being composed of a layer of rubber cloth and an outer layer of a napped fabric, a set of wringerrollers, and a set of pressure and wiping rollers, as and for the object stated.

5. In a machine for dampening paper prior to printing thereon,th e combination,with suitable guide and wringer rolls, of an endless apron consisting of a rubber-cloth fabric and a layer of a napped fabric cemented to the rubber cloth with the napped surface outermost, as and for the object stated.

6. In a machine for dampening paper prior to printing thereon, the combination, with a suitable frame, of an endless apron, suitable guide-rolls for the same, a water-reservoir through which the apron passes, a table above the upper course of said apron, a pressureroller revolving freely in slots in said frame upon the apron, a wiping-roller having a covering of a napped fabric revolving in contact with the pressure-roller, and mechanism, su bstantially as described, for removing from the apron the surplus water, as and for the ob ject specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have hereto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WERNER NAOKEN. 

